The increased incidence of Gliomas of the brain in South Africa

Abstract

Objectives
To review the evidence for the perceived increase in the incidence of Gliomas of the brain in South Africa
Methods
A review of the data held by the National Cancer Registry of South Africa from 1994 to 2018
Results
There has been an alarming increase in the incidence of Gliomas of the brain in South Africa over the past two and a half decades, especially of Glioblastoma Multiforme, the commonest and most aggressive form of this disease.
Conclusions
Given that there is this proven increase in Gliomas of the brain in South Africa, increased efforts at studying the possible risk factors for this trend should be undertaken. Further, similar studies elsewhere in Africa should be commissioned to establish if this is an Africa-wide issue and what further associations and risk factors can be unearthed.